The majority of the events you will play in are Stroke Play events. For this reason, the importance of the score card cannot be understated. The attention you pay to your card will be one of the most important things you do in every tournament round. Every year there are numerous examples of even the best player in the world making an error with a score card. Let’s go over some of the things all players should understand about score cards.

Rule 6-6 Scoring in Stroke Play:

Recording Scores
After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.

Signing and Returning Score Card
After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 6-6b:
Disqualification.

Alteration of Score Card
No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee.

Wrong Score for Hole
The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands.

Generally, when we play, we do not keep our own score card. We exchange cards with someone in our group. When you are keeping someone else’s card, you are called their MARKER. The first part of the Rule says that after each hole, the Marker (you) should ask the player (the person who’s card you have) what they made on that hole and write it down. After the round, you sign the card and give it to the other player. They will give you your card back with their signature on it. This is the part that gets real important. You need to take your card and look for two things. First, make sure you and your Marker have signed the card. Second, make sure your score is correct for all 18 holes. You don’t have to add them up, just make sure each hole is correct. Remember, once you hand your card in, you cannot change it!

Getting the score card right should be easy, and it is…just make sure you take your time. The penalty for a mistake here can get you disqualified. Good Luck!